Tribal colleges and universities to see 109% funding increase from U.S. Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education announced this week a historic investment in higher education, earmarking nearly $500 million that’ll, in part, help to fund TCUs — or tribal colleges and universities. It comes months after the White House proposed budget cuts that could’ve caused some schools to close their doors.

Less than a week prior, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren met with Education Secretary Linda McMahon, for the first time, in D.C., to explain why tribal education isn’t DEI and how these institutions are tied to preserving language and culture.

“And I had to remind her about the Navajo Code Talkers and the things that we’ve done for this country,” Nygren told KJZZ, “and at the same time, making sure that we fund our education properly, including our higher education as well, so she was very receptive.”

But coming away from that recent conversation Nygren called a “big win for the Navajo Nation,” he admittedly did not expect what would follow just days later – saying “to get the good news after was even better, to know that over $100 million was going to be given to tribal colleges.”

Like New Mexico’s Navajo Technical University and the nation’s oldest TCU, Diné College, in Tsaile, Arizona — both chartered by the Navajo Nation. Arizona is also home to Tohono O’odham Community College and San Carlos Apache College.

Initially facing a roughly 90% deficit, they’ll now get a one-time 109% increase in addition to their steady fiscal year funding. Those federal dollars were redirected from what McMahon deemed “ineffective and discriminatory programs” under her department.

Indigenous Affairs

Slashing funds by 90% could be ‘a death sentence’ for Arizona tribal colleges and universities

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While Congress continues mulling over President Donald Trump’s fiscal agenda, part of the White House budget proposes to essentially defund tribal colleges and universities — slashing federal funding by nearly 90% — for three schools across Arizona and dozens more throughout Indian Country.

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While the nonprofit American Indian Higher Education Consortium applauds this announcement, a statement reads in part, “this adjustment brings new resources to our institutions, but also presents obstacles for students who rely on other supports,” naming Native students studying at non-TCU campuses.

In all, three dozen or so TCUs across Indian Country will split $108 million, while 107 historically Black colleges and universities share $1.34 billion. Nygren is grateful the Trump administration changed course, suggesting it’s a sign they are listening.

“I’m looking forward to how the dollars are allocated,” he added. “The meeting that I had with [McMahon] the week before was honored by really upholding her treaty trust responsibility.”